8 End of Summer Cleaning Ideas in 20 Minutes or Less

The end of summer usually means warm temperatures and, therefore, running the air conditioning a bit more than usual. It also means we’re just a few months away from crisper air and possibly running the heater. Now is the perfect time to cross a few healthy home maintenance to-dos off your list to make sure the air is circulating properly and everything is in tip-top shape.

Trusted HGTV Contractor, Mike Holmes, has some recommendations that would take homeowners 20 minutes or less to complete and I’ve even added in a few of my own.

1. Change Air Conditioning Filters

The sponsors of this post, Filtrete Brand, make an electrostatically-charged air filter  to help capture dust, pollen and lint from the air passing through the filter. Plus, changing your filter at the start of every season helps protect and maintain your system.

(Side note: I am embarrassed to say that I had my air conditioning guy come out to change my air filter. It takes like 1 minute and zero effort to slide the old one out and a new one in!)

2. Review Hot Water Heater Settings

Set hot water heaters at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below to avoid potential scalding.

3. Clean The Stove

Remove and wash stove grates, burners and coils with warm water and soap. Over time, grease can build up around the stove, increasing the chances of a fire.

4. Check Fire Extinguishers

Check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers. You should keep one on each floor of your home.

5. Look For Cracks

Inspect the floor, walls and foundation of the home for cracks. Jot them down on your home to-do list, and fix them before they lead to deterioration and wood rot.

I would add a few more things to an end of summer to-do list.

6. Check Weatherproofing

Sometimes it’s rubber which loses shape or sometimes wood doors and windows expand and contract. Check to see what kind of shape it’s in and replace it before it rains.

7. Clean The Barbecue

Depending on your barbecue, this might take longer than 20 minutes but it won’t take more than a few to pick up the phone and call a professional. At the end of barbecue season is a perfect time to have gas barbecue grates and crevices revert back to their shiny selves not only for taste and looks, but also for safety reasons.

8. Ditch Summer Dust

Living in Southern California, we run the heater more than the air conditioning so it’s even more important to make sure that baseboards and bookshelves are free of dust as not to blow it around when the heater turns on.

Also, don’t forget to consider house plants that help clean indoor air.

About Filtrete Allergy Filters

Unlike some other filters with similar ratings that are tightly woven and can restrict airflow, the Filtrete Micro Allergen Reduction Filter provides a balance of particle capture and airflow, thus helping to prevent stress on the system as well as reducing the amount of energy needed to reach desired temperatures. We have them installed currently as our prior filter, according to our air conditioning guy, was putting extra strain on our otherwise energy-efficient system. Buy them at Lowe’s, Target, Walmart, and your local hardware store.

*Thanks to Filtrete for sponsoring this series of posts.

Photo credit: istockphoto/diego_cervo